CDC: One in Ten Deaths Were Flu-Related in Most Recent Data

This flu season is 'on track to break some recent records'

More bad news about flu season, as about 10% of deaths were flu-related and hospitalizations are now significantly higher than when CDC first started using its current tracking system in 2010.

The latest FluView data found that flu-related deaths rose to 10.1% for the week ending January 20 -- far above the epidemic threshold figure of 7.3% for that week. There were also an additional 10 pediatric deaths reported, bringing the total to 63 pediatric deaths this flu season. Over the next few weeks it would make sense to see more flu-related deaths, as those potential deaths will likely come from current influenza-related hospitalizations, CDC researchers said.

Overall, cumulative hospitalizations rose to 59.9 per 100,000 in this week's data -- up from 51.4 per 100,000 in last week's data. CDC investigators noted that this year's most recent data are "approaching the end of the 2014-2015 season rate," which was the last high-severity season.

"We were hoping to have better news to share today, but influenza activity is still on the rise overall. We may be on track for a record," Anne Schuchat, MD, acting director of the CDC, said on a conference call with the media.

What continues to be be notable about this season in particular is the cumulative hospitalization rate among older adults ages 50-64 (63.1 per 100,000 compared to 35.1 per 100,000 in 2014-2015, CDC researchers said) and the rate of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness. This week's data showed outpatient visits for influenza-like illness comprised 7.7% of all visits -- up from 7.1% in last week's data.

Schuchat had a special message for clinicians about the importance of antiviral therapy, especially among those at risk of developing severe flu complications, or in young children, elderly adults, pregnant women, or those with preexisting conditions, such as heart or lung disease.

"If persons look like they have the flu, don't wait on a test result -- you should treat immediately if it's a person with severe presentation or underlying risk conditions," she said.

Schuchat noted that while influenza A (H3N2) remains the predominant strain, influenza B viruses are comprising about 30% of viruses reported in this week's data. Researchers noted that it is not uncommon to see influenza B activity, and "we usually see better vaccine protection against B viruses."

On the subject of vaccines, Schuchat added that the Department of Health and Human Services is "looking at this season's data very carefully" and understands the "need to talk about longer-term approaches to improved flu vaccines." But she said that while there could be merits in exploring other types of vaccine production, such as cell-based or recombinant vaccines, the effectiveness of these different types of vaccines hasn't been fully studied yet.

Schuchat said that while this year's virus "isn't new in terms of antigenic drift," virologists are studying it to see if there are "other explanations for the more severe disease we're seeing."

This week's data indicated that flu activity remained widespread in 48 states. CDC researchers noted there may be the potential for several more weeks of elevated influenza activity, and it is only week 11.

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